Every Race Week is special, but this year’s was one for the books. The captains decided the course in the morning at the traditional captain’s meeting. Even as we started the race at the sound of the cannon, we were at the head of the pack. After a full day of tacking and strategizing, we were on the last leg and just under the hills of Rockport off Indian Head Light. The sky was clear and the wind had died to a whiff, and we were all yearning for the forecast 15 knots. We’d had moments of excitement throughout the day, but they’d come and gone as the wind eased. With only two vessels in front of us, we saw wind begin to skim the surface of the water. Seconds later, the vessels ahead of us began to heal and then heal hard. And the wind was upon us. The Riggin gently healed over and when the physics of her majestic sails began to dominate, she started to move forward and pick up speed. The wind drove her with such purpose as we went from a relaxed, everyday sail to a thrilling chase that had us pulling ahead of one of the two vessels. With all of us cheering her on the Riggin finished 2nd in her class and overall! What a moment!

Photos by Susan Land (guest extraordinaire and long time Riggin Relic)

Winter finally arrived with gusto this month, heralded by snow and record low temperatures. While it may be the down season that doesn’t mean it’s down time for us. When the forecast calls for snow and high winds, some of us head to the store for the “bread and milk”, while Captain Jon heads to the schooners (the Rigginand the Timberwind) to check on lines and bubblers (so the ice doesn’t freeze to the hull).

We are happy to have Erin back from her cross country adventure with Chives (who is back home in Texas) to help out in the barn this winter. Lots of smaller projects to be done before we go sailing just six months from now.

And Captain Jon is getting ready to start projects on the boat now that the holidays are over. His trusty woodstove is in place to give a bit of extra warmth.